The body of the woman found at Back Street, Harlem, West Coast Demerara, on Sunday, was identified yesterday as that of Luciana Bhagwandin, 22, formerly of Pomona Village, Essequibo Coast.

She was last residing at her aunt’s home at 829 Fourth Field, Cummings Lodge New Scheme, East Coast Demerara.

The University of Guyana student arrived at her aunt’s home a week ago and had left with her cousin, Surujanie Lashely, 17, on Saturday, to visit the supermarket in the village.

Her other cousin, Malini Lashley, 15, told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that her sister and Luciana were returning home when a friend called “Mark” arrived in a blue motor car and as she entered the car he drove away with her.

Malini said she had indicated that she was going with the male friend to uplift her clothes which was left at his sister’s house during a visit there last week.

Her cousin said that the same male friend used to frequently call her on her cellular phone.

After the car drove away with Luciana, who was screaming for help, at about 7:30 pm on Saturday night her cousin tried contacting her on her cell phone, but it was turned off.

It was the last time Luciana was seen alive.
When Surujanie Lashley arrived home she told her mother what had transpired and they visited the Turkeyen Police Station and made a missing persons report.

Eventually Luciana’s parents were contacted and journeyed to the city to identify their daughter’s body which is at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) awaiting a post mortem examination.

Luciana’s body bore multiple stab wounds.
Luciana was a student at UG studying English and was an aspiring teacher.

She was married and had lived with her husband in Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, before they separated.

The police reported that a taxi driver, whose car is also lodged with the police, and three others are in police custody assisting with investigations following the discovery of the body.

He added that the taxi driver claimed that he was hijacked and three persons were also picked up to corroborate his story.

Police said at about 09:00 hours on Sunday morning Luciana’s mutilated body was found at Back Street, Harlem, West Coast Demerara.